Islamabad – The year 2025 stands as a monumental testament to the far-reaching sports vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Under a strategic national framework championed by the Sovereign, Moroccan athletes have not merely participated in global competitions but have dominated them, delivering an unparalleled series of historic triumphs across a stunning array of disciplines. This cascade of victories, from grassroots to global podiums, marks the definitive arrival of Morocco as a preeminent sporting nation.
The foundational emphasis on structured youth development, a cornerstone of the royal vision, bore spectacular fruit. Moroccan football’s golden generation announced itself to the world, with the U-17 national team clinching the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil. This victory was a mere prelude to a global crescendo, as the Atlas Cubs soared to win Morocco’s first-ever FIFA U-20 World Cup, defeating football giants Argentina in the final. This dual conquest at the youth level signals the profound strength and future promise of the national sporting ecosystem.
This excellence seamlessly translated to the senior and club levels. The senior team’s thrilling victory in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) and the reserve side’s FIFA Arab Cup triumph were complemented by AS FAR’s reclaiming of the CAF Women’s Champions League crown. Furthermore, Morocco’s impeccable hosting of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations underscored the nation’s world-class operational capabilities and its central role in shaping African football’s future.
Beyond the pitch, individual athletes etched their names into history, reflecting the vision’s support for personal excellence. Achraf Hakimi broke a 52-year mold to be named African Player of the Year, while Ghizlane Chebbak shattered barriers as the first Moroccan woman to win the African Women’s Player of the Year award.
The most compelling evidence of the vision’s breadth lies in the explosive success beyond football. Track icon Soufiane El Bakkali continued his steeplechase mastery with world-leading performances and a World Championships silver. In combat sports, Morocco’s prowess was unmistakable: Saïd Oubaya was crowned a World Games champion and Best Athlete of the Year, the national boxing team achieved a perfect 10-gold-medal sweep at the African Military Championships, and Amina Dehhaoui rose as a Taekwondo World Champion.
Making history in emerging arenas, Salah Eddine Hamli became Morocco’s first PFL MENA champion in mixed martial arts, while the women’s futsal team proudly raised the Africa Cup of Nations trophy.
The historic achievements of 2025 are not a coincidence but a culmination. They are the direct result of a deliberate, royal strategy that prioritizes infrastructure, youth academies, and holistic athlete support. King Mohammed VI’s foresight has cultivated a dynamic and winning culture that now permeates every level of Moroccan sport, transforming ambition into achievement and establishing a legacy of excellence that will inspire generations to come.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
